Only 4 types of businesses in Kelantan must close on first day of Syawal

 

Kelantan exco Hilmi Abdullah said the state government had also given flexibility to supermarket owners to extend their operations until 11pm in the week before Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

KOTA BHARU: 

The Kelantan government has clarified that only four types of businesses are required to close on the first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, contrary to earlier reports suggesting all businesses must abide by the rule.

State local government, housing, health and environment committee chairman Hilmi Abdullah said the directive is in line with the Holidays Act 1951 which stipulates four categories of businesses affected by the ruling, namely hypermarkets, supermarkets, convenience stores and fast-food restaurants.

“This directive aims to give priority to the rights of workers to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Many mistakenly believe that all premises are ordered to close, when only these four categories are affected,” he told reporters after an exco meeting at the Kota Darulnaim Complex, here.

Apart from that, he said, the state government has also given flexibility to supermarket owners to extend their operations until 11pm in the week before Hari Raya Aidilfitri, compared to the normal closing time of 10pm.

“Owners who wish to extend operations can submit an application to their respective local authorities to obtain approval,” Hilmi said.

Earlier, the media reported that all business premises in Kelantan, including supermarkets, fast-food restaurants and convenience stores, were required to close operations on the first day of Syawal. - FMT